Lemsta69

g'day Jack. that's what i thought too but i'm planning on buying or renting a cheapie onward ticket just in case (i also want to come in on TR and convert to non-O in country).

ha ha i was thinking that too but was too gutless to ask. other dudes have said they've used that service successfully so i guess the embassy or consulate doesn't really give a rat's as long as you've ticked the box.

mate i thought onward tickets were the go not return tickets. check this thread out for more info:

mate I'm going to try the "intention to apply" approach once the new Thai entry rules, if any, come into effect. that's assuming I can work out what to say on the bloody stat dec ???? if they say no then i suppose I wait until Scotty from Marketing lets us out of prison. assuming he doesn't <deleted> off to Hawaii again for Chrissy.

hi mate, mind if I DM you about this?

hi mate, mind if I DM you about this?

my humble opinion is that people bag Pattaya because they're puritans or they're jealous of its success. a lot of people seem to that think that the P word doesn't happen in the rest of Thailand and that it's the dirty farang that introduced it there. but as we all (should) know, and as I've seen for myself, this is patently false. it just happens behind closed doors (or curtains) and the Thai blokes are clever enough to not go around shouting about it at the top of their lungs. or putting up videos on YouTube <deleted>. for the record I had no idea about the wine, women and song before I came to Thailand. my first visit was to Chaweng Beach on Koh Samui in 1997 where of course I promptly discovered the "scene" and fell into its loving embrace ???? then I met an English fellow who took me up to Pattaya because he was bored with the island and convinced me to come along. again, I had no preconceived notions about the place so went there first time with a completely open mind. all my mate said was "if you like Samui you'll love Pattaya". I loved it from the start. for all the positive reasons that have been mentioned here before and a few of my own. unlike many who consider Pattaya as not the "real Thailand" I see the place as quintessentially Thai; savvy local business people saw an opportunity and gave the customers what they wanted. or found out what they liked to do back in their home countries and built it for them by the sea. and what a succes it has become. I'm currently serving time in Prison Australia but I've recently retired and am looking forward to returning to my beloved Patts as soon as I get all my ducks in a row. ps. I'm in the "Jomtien and Pattaya are separate" camp ☺️

g'day Jack. only if you've got nothing else to do mate. I've spent a fair bit of time in Pattaya and Naklua so I know my way around the place. not condo-wise but I'm sure I can bumble my way through it ????

thanks. Sheryl posted this in another thread and I already checked the price. quite surprised that it was lower than if you came from say, the USA. I hope it's not a mistake.

mate I've been lurking in here for a while and from reading way too many bickering posts over the years it would seem that historically consulates have been a bit more relaxed than embassies. also their respective websites and/or advice may not always be correct.

this is point 3. from https://coethailand.mfa.go.th/regis/step?language=en. it doesn't mention anything about the post-AQ/SHA+ proof of accommodation: Confirm application for Certificate of Entry (COE) Please provide flight details and upload plane ticket(s), proof of payment for AQ or AQ booking confirmation on arrival date OR receipt or proof of payment for SHA Plus accommodation, specifying both accommodation fees and RT-PCR COVID-19 test fees, and relevant required documents on “Confirm trip” menu in the next page. Must be processed within 15 days in accordance with No. 2 otherwise a new registration is required

g'day mate. us cockroaches have to use the Thai consulate in Sydney and they ask for a different requirement to Canberra: Proof of adequate finance - A bank statement in the past six months showing a deposit account with the minimum fund of THB 10,000 per person, or THB 20,000 per family but i first read it the other night whilst very tired and i reckon i've misinterpreted it to mean that you had to have had the funds in the account for six months. thanks to your question i've re-read it and i see now that it means the statement has to be no older than six months. thx, i'll reconsider going for the TR as it comes with the breathing space you mentioned. as for the COE, i'll re-read that as well. as you'll note from one of my other posts i'm a wee bit scatterbrained

funny you should say that because I've come to the same conclusion myself after looking at a few rental sites like fazwaz and hipflat (Google search results). I know they're not the only available vacancies and anyway photos don't tell the whole story. funny also that you should mention VT6. my mate who lives over there says his mate books a flash pad there for a month each year and reckons it's the dogs erm pajamas. i hasn't found any online listings there that I like so risks for the tip about the lobby notice board. as for long-term accommodation, I want a place close to and overlooking the water. that's not too rowdy or has a filthy smoker next door. high up too and with farang sized railings just in case LOL. wish me luck on my search ????

yeah I've seen some of the photos, it's shocking. that's why I want to come over and inject at least some money into the local economy. I'm not worried about the lack of booze, I'm on the wagon at the moment so I'm actually glad it wont be so easy to chug beer all the time like in the good old days. as for accommodation choices, you're not wrong eh? too bloody many of them, where do ya start?! ????

I've been doing my homework and have read just about every recent thread in this channel so I know you're a DIY advocate. but tbh I just really couldn't be bothered doing it on my own as I'm quite scatterbrained. I can afford an agent so why not let them do most of the work while I put my feet up and sip on my Beer Chaaang ???? but I won't be using the agent for the funds thingy, I'll be transferring in USD via SWIFT as soon as I get a bank account. Bangkok Bank seems to be the favourite bank on here so I'll probably use them unless anyone has any strong objections. separate accounts for the 800k and daily expenses so as not to accidentally dip below the minimum.

@DrJack54mate I haven't been to Thailand since the end of 2014 but prior to that I went there on and off from June '97. so I'm not a total pro but not a noob either LOL i know about the 800k requirement but thanks for restating the info, it never hurts to have it repeated. but I'm coming over in November regardless and will just deal with whatever it's like when I get there. I know it'll be a shadow of its former self so I'm under no illusion that it'll be party central.

hi Joe and thanks for the prompt response which I've noted. I never did get around to opening a bank account on my previous travels so I guess the bank-opening joy awaits me ????. I'll most likely be using an agent for everything and from what DrJack says, they can help with opening one or more bank accounts.

g'day mates. Sydney boy and long-time lurker here so I should have it down pat but struggling a bit with the details. I've found myself in the fortunate position of being able to retire early and want to ditch the nanny-state ???? and move to Thailand permanently. ETA is mid to late-November, assuming I can get the Aus travel exemption and depending on how the grand reopening develops. looking at coming in on VEE instead of TR then converting to non-O in Pattaya. yerr I know, immi moved to Jomtien years ago. can't get TR because I don't keep my hard-earned in a bank. a couple of Qs if I may: 1. COE application wants "current address in TL" - will I need to pre-book accommodation so that I can give them an actual address? I'm used to the old days of just rocking up to Patts in a taxi from Swampy, heading straight to a bar and worrying about where I'll kip later in the night (or the next day) 2. non-O - they'll need an address but will they accept an hotel or do I have to book one month at a condo or house etc. I plan to get a long lease on a place eventually (Wong Amat looks nice) but obviously don't want to commit to anything sight unseen. Thanks in advance.